Argentine Forest Certification System (CERFOAR)
The Argentine Forest Certification System was endorsed in 2014. The system maintained its endorsement in November 2023.
2022 system elements
| Sustainable forest management standard | Yes |
| Sustainable forest management standard (plantation) | No |
| Sustainable forest management standard (trees outside forests) | No |
| Group certification requirements | Yes |
| Chain of custody requirements (PEFC International) | Yes |
| Certification body requirements for chain of custody (PEFC International) | Yes |
| Full system documentation | Yes |
Endorsement milestones
To maintain its PEFC endorsement, the system must meet specific endorsement milestones. The first milestone is the start of the periodic review within five years of the national approval of the sustainable forest management standard.
- National approval date: 5 May 2022
- Review date: 5 May 2027
2022-23 system assessment
- Status: Assessment finished, system endorsement maintained
- Type: Revised system (maintaining the endorsement)
- Assessment Report
- Assessor: Khalil Hegarty
- System submitted for assessment: 11 May 2022
- Consultation: 31 May - 29 July 2022
Watch the recording of the webinar to find out more about this national system.
System history
- Joined PEFC: 12 November 2010
- Endorsed: 29 July 2014
- Re-endorsed: 28 November 2023
History before PEFC
The Argentine Forest Certification System CERFOAR is a voluntary initiative of the Argentine forest sector which began to take shape in 2004 when the Argentine Institute for Standardization (IRAM) convened a working group to develop the Sustainable Forest Management standard.
In September 2009, the Argentine Forest Association (AFoA), Argentine Federation of Wood Industry and Allied (FAIM) and the Cellulose and Paper Manufacturers Association (AFCP) joined to grant an institutional framework to the forest certification system. They agreed to create a civil non-profit association in order to manage and periodically update the standards and procedures of CERFOAR.
In 2010, in the 14th General Assembly of PEFC the association was accepted as National Governing Body. The Argentine Forest Certification System – CERFOAR obtained the PEFC endorsement on July 10, 2014.
CERFOAR – PEFC Argentina is a key initiative of the Argentine forest sector, the product of collaboration between national chambers representing the value chain of forest-based products and the forestry sector in Argentina.
CERFOAR was designed and elaborated respecting and dealing with the technical and procedural requirements which allow international recognition through a mutual recognition agreement with the PEFC scheme, which will thus grant international projection and validity.
What are the benefits of being part of the PEFC alliance?
The PEFC governance model provides us with a globally validated and recognized framework to build national certification systems, which are sovereign and based on the highest standards of sustainable forest management.
The PEFC brand gives us the opportunity to do better business, and to be a part of the PEFC alliance allows Argentina and our PEFC certified forest-based companies to globally communicate their commitment to sustainability.
The PEFC alliance provides us with a space for collaboration, learning and promotion of sustainable forest management.